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Media reports that hundreds of mineworkers at Blyvoor Gold Mine in Carletonville are being dismissed on the basis of their constitutional rights to belong to a trade union of their choice are disturbing. 

The report further alleges that since the beginning of this year, many workers at Blyvoor Gold Mine have been intimidated, assaulted and prevented from reporting to work.

The Department of Employment and Labour through its mandate and vision strive to promote economic development, social justice, labour peace and democracy in the workplace. It does this through a number of Acts which regulate labour matters in South Africa.

One of these is the Labour Relations Act (LRA), Act 66 of 1995. This Act provides for every person to have the right to fair labour practices. It also provides that workers shall have the right to form and join trade unions, and employers shall have the right to form and join employers' organisations; workers and employers shall have the right to organise and bargain collectively and workers shall have the right to strike for the purpose of collective bargaining. 

Such events as reported risks bringing instability in the labour market. In 2014 the Department and Nedlac partners held a Labour Relations Indaba and adopted what is now termed the “Ekurhuleni Declaration” in which parties committed themselves, among other things, to setting in motion processes that will culminate in stabilising the volatile labour relations environment.

One of the outcomes of the Indaba was that parties agreed to: address labour relations challenges through dialogue under the leadership of Nedlac. All stakeholders further agreed to promote employment, labour market stability, enhance and promote the right to strike. The Department therefore appeals to all parties to pursue the path of dialogue.

Issued by The Department of Employment and Labour